Amid Gun Control Debate, Hochul Backs Delta

From the Morning Memo:

The lieutenant governor of Georgia on Monday raised eyebrows when he announced on Twitter he would reject tax breaks for the Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines should the company bow to social media pressure urging the firm to cut ties with the National Rifle Association.

That’s when New York’s lieutenant governor stepped in with a public response: “@Delta, as one of your most frequent flyers, know that the NY LG admires your principled stance. Let’s continue our great relationship.”

Echoing the Empire State Development program’s slogan that New York is “open for business” Hochul suggested the airline company its headquarters to New York “where you’re appreciated.”

The response comes amid growing pressure on companies that have done business and provided benefits to the NRA are being pushed to drop them as the gun-rights group opposes new efforts to regulate firearms following a high school shooting this month in Florida that killed 17 people.

United Airlines, along with Delta, announced over the weekend it would no longer provide discounts to NRA members.

As a member of Congress, Hochul received the backing of the NRA, which endorsed her during her 2012 re-election bid, losing to Republican Rep. Chris Collins. At the time, Hochul’s campaign attributed her support from the NRA to her time as Erie County clerk, where she streamlined the permitting process and provided staff and technology at gun shows to ensure sales went through safely.

But like U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who represented a conservative-leaning House district before becoming a statewide elected official, Hochul has emphasized support gun control measures as lieutenant governor.

She faces a challenge from her left this year from Brooklyn City Councilman Jumaane Williams in a Democratic primary. Queens Councilman Eric Ulrich, a Republican, has signaled he is considering a run, as well.